They were a central site of terror: imprisonment in the bunker, often for weeks at a time and without sufficient food, was one of the penalties which could be imposed on the prisoners. During this imprisonment the prisoners were especially exposed to sever brutality. Many saw suicide as their last resort.
The Secret State Police (Gestapo) conducted interrogations in the bunker, during which the prisoners were tortured in order to force confessions. The interrogation room in the bunker was fitted with hollow walls and double doors; these were supposed to prevent the screams of the tortured from being heard outside.
In 1944 the SS had twelve so-called standing cells built. These had a surface area of approx. 70x70 cm, and the prisoners could neither sit nor lie down. The lack of air and light additionally intensified the imprisonment in these cells.
In the bunker courtyard prisoners were executed by the SS; both the whipping and the so-called "pole hanging" were also carried out there.
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